At Four Thousand Feet

Fellow hikers sometimes ask me why I’m working on the White Mountain 4,000 Footer Grid. Why do I choose to (perhaps obstinately) remain focused on New Hampshire peaks, when there are other lists to chase and beautiful ranges to explore? To be quite honest, I have a difficult time justifying this focus myself. The Maine mountains in particular hold tremendous appeal, but not to the extent that I’m willing to undergo a half-day drive to visit them.

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, there’s something about the Whites that just resonates with me. Even in the pouring rain, or whilst breaking through foot upon foot of fresh snow, I feel inexplicably drawn to these peaks. Some say that I’ll tire of them eventually, and perhaps I will. Yet at this point in my life, I honestly cannot imagine ever losing interest in a place I hold so dearly.

This past weekend only served to reinforce that notion. Bluebird skies, endless views, and fantastic snow conditions made for what may very well have been two of the best days we’ve had this winter. On Saturday I traversed Zealand and the Bonds. At 23.2 miles in distance, it marked the longest continuous hike that I’ve done since my injury back in August 2009. Waking on Sunday, I was feeling terribly sluggish. Nevertheless, I still managed to muster up the energy to take a quick hike up Jackson the day after… and am I glad that I did…

There are a handful of mountains – one of which happens to be Jackson – that I am not particularly fond of. Hiking them in each month (to go against my previous chain of thought) becomes something of a chore. However, the beauty of the Grid is that you’re given the opportunity to experience New Hampshire’s highest peaks in a huge variety of conditions – good and bad. And in some instances, this can serve to foster appreciation for peaks and trails that you may once have held in disdain.

Breaking above treeline on Sunday, I finally realized why so many people love that little mountain on the eastern side of Crawford Notch. The summit cone was a blanket of white, each of the tiny krummholz encased by snow. The sky was so deeply blue at times that it appeared almost unreal, altered beyond the boundaries of nature. It was a day to be savored, and no longer will I hold that mountain in such low regard!

A few pictures from the weekend:

More Pictures Behind the Cut »

Winter is in the air. The leaves, while still beautiful, are now past peak. The winds are bitingly cold. Ice is beginning to coat the rocks, and we even received a dusting of snow whilst out on the Bonds this past Sunday.

Bring it on. I cannot wait to rock the snowshoes.

Hale

Distance: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet
Trails Used: Hale Brook

Carrigain

Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet
Trails Used: Signal Ridge

Zealand/Bonds Traverse

Distance: 19.5 miles (+1 additional mile on the Wilderness trail for kicks)
Elevation Gain: 3,700 feet
Trails Used: Zealand, Twinway, Bondcliff, Wilderness

…full album here.

Three stellar hikes this weekend. More details to come. For now, a quick trail running picture from Bondcliff (courtesy of my friends Bob and Geri)…

Distance: 27.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 7,550 feet
Trails Used: Wilderness, Black Pond, Lincoln Brook, Owl’s Head Path, Twin Brook, Twinway, and Zealand

Owl’s Head is one of my favorite peaks. Yes, the approach is long, the water crossings (often) difficult, and the summit slightly uninspiring – but nevertheless, the mountain evokes a sense of remoteness that cannot be felt on some of the more heavily-travelled ridges in the White Mountains.

The Lincoln Brook trail, on the other hand… Let’s just say I’ve now discovered my least favorite trail in all of New Hampshire. Ah well, suffering though 3 or so miles of swampiness made reaching the Twin Range all the more pleasant.

Considering that this past weekend was perhaps the best we’ve experienced so far this summer, my pictures from the day are a little underwhelming. Ah well.

…full album here.

Date: August 1st, 2009
Distance: 24.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 8,350 feet
Trails Used: Gorge Brook, Beaver Brook, Kinsman Ridge

One word: MUD. The Kinsman Ridge trail is currently sporting some snazzy new water bars, which (as I was soon to find out) are devilishly slick when wet. Attempting to navigate the little demons led to a couple of – shall I say “graceful” – falls right into the mud pits. Of course, being the champ that I am, I took everything right in stride…

Nevertheless, a wonderful day to be out. Challenging conditions build character.

This hike also happened to serve as a (small) milestone for me. Earlier this year I set a minor goal of traversing all of the major ridges in the Whites. As it turns out, I was able to accomplish the feat in just over 4 months:

• Franconia Ridge Traverse (3/21/2009)
• Hale/Zealand/Bonds Traverse (4/25/2009)
• Kilkenny Ridge Traverse (7/3/2009)
• Presidential Traverse (7/5/2009)
• Wildcats/Carter-Moriah Range Traverse (7/12/2009)
• Moosilauke/Kinsman Ridge Traverse (8/1/2009)

Keeping my cool on the Kinsman Ridge trail…

…and a few more pictures here.